Totally and Completely Fine by Elissa Sussman (July 8, 2025) Thank you @dellromance and @prhaudio for the free advanced reading and listening copies! #prhaudioinfluencer
Lauren Parker has endured more loss than most: she lost her father as a teen, and later, her husband as an adult. Now, she’s navigating single motherhood with a moody teenage daughter in a small Montana town – while also managing what comes with being the sister of famous actor Gabe Parker. Now over 40, Lauren feels adrift, giving so much of herself to others without truly living for herself.
Then, while visiting Gabe on the set of his newest film, she meets Ben Walsh – Gabe’s co-star, a man a decade younger, and a Sexiest Man Alive winner. What begins as a spark she assumes will be nothing more than a fling becomes something deeper, forcing both Lauren and Ben to confront grief, insecurity, and the complicated question of what it means to move forward after loss.
As a longtime fan of Funny You Should Ask, I was thrilled to discover this is a companion novel. Not only are the stories connected, but the timelines overlap, letting us view familiar events through fresh perspectives. Gabe and Lauren’s sibling dynamic is heartfelt and authentic, Ben is layered and unexpectedly tender, and the Montana town setting shines once again. When read alongside Sussman’s earlier novel, the interconnectedness adds incredible richness, making every character feel fully realized.
This book is unflinchingly honest about grief – examining it through the lenses of spouse, parent, child, and friend – while still delivering a romance that feels both hopeful and hard-earned. It’s tender, emotional, and beautifully human. I already miss these characters.
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts: At 11h 14m, Patti Murin delivers a stunning narration. She captures everything from sharp sibling banter to gentle flirtation to raw grief with nuance and authenticity. One of my favorite audiobook performances this year.
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
🎧 Audio performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
🔥 Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Book Smart Kate 